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Observation of the open-charm tetraquark candidate Tcs0*(2870)0 in the [B− [arrorw] D−D0KS0] decay
No full textAn amplitude analysis of −→ − 0 0 decays is performed using proton-proton collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9 fb−1, collected with the LHCb detector at center-of-mass energies of 7, 8, and 13 TeV. A resonant structure of spin-parity 0+ is observed in the 0 0 invariant-mass spectrum with a significance of 5.3 . The mass and width of the state, modeled with a Breit-Wigner line shape, are determined to be 883±11±8 MeV/ 2 and 87+22−47 ±17 MeV, respectively, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second systematic. These properties and the quark content are consistent with those of the open-charm tetraquark candidate * 0(2870)0 observed previously in the + − final state of the −→ − + − decay. This result confirms the existence of the * 0(2870)0 state in a new decay mode. The * 1(2900)0 state, reported in the −→ − + −decay, is also searched for in the 0 0 invariant-mass spectrum of the − → − 0 0 decay, without finding evidence for it
Intraseasonal variations in the spatial behaviour of an Arctic predator
No full textBackgroundIn highly constrained ecosystems such as in the Arctic, animals must constantly adjust their movements to cope with the highly versatile environmental conditions. However, to date most studies have focused on interseasonal differences in spatial behaviour, while intraseasonal dynamics are less described.MethodsTo fill this knowledge gap, we studied the movement patterns of an Arctic predator, the arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) at the intraseasonal scale. To unravel temporal patterns in space use and movement metrics, we used GPS data collected on 20 individual foxes between 2017 and 2023 in North-East Greenland.ResultsWe showed that weekly full and core home range sizes (estimated by means of Autocorrelated Kernel Density Estimates), and daily mean relative turning angles stayed constant throughout the summer. Conversely, daily distance travelled, mean daily speed and daily proportion of ‘active’ time showed intraseasonal variations. These fine-scale metrics had a hump-shaped distribution, peaking in mid-July, with males and non-breeding foxes travelling longer distances and being faster. Site-specific patterns were also identified, with foxes having smaller territories in the two most productive sites but moving shorter distances and at lower speeds at the poorest site.ConclusionOur study provides novel insights into how predators adjust their space use and behaviour to intraseasonal variations in environmental conditions. Specifically, we show that different movement metrics show different intraseasonal patterns. We also underline the importance of considering small spatiotemporal scales to fully understand predators’ spatial behaviour
Measuring cerebrovascular reactivity with breath-hold fMRI in patients with Moyamoya angiopathy: MR perfusion based delay correction significantly improves agreement to [15O]water PET
No full textPurposeBreath-hold functional MRI (bh-fMRI) is able to quantify cerebrovascular reactivity. Vessel stenoses can lead to delayed hemodynamic responses. We aimed to investigate whether delay correction improves the quality of bh-fMRI compared to the diagnostic standard [15O]water PET.MethodsThe bh-fMRI data sets of 25 patients with Moyamoya Angiopathy were analyzed retrospectively without and with delay correction. Delay correction was calculated using time-to-peak (TTP) maps derived from dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) perfusion MRI. [15O]water PET maps and bh-fMRI maps without and with delay correction were presented blinded for delay correction to two neuroradiologists. The agreement between bh-fMRI without and with delay correction and [15O]water PET was independently and consensually rated on a 4-point-Likert scale (1 = poor, 2 = moderate, 3 = good, 4 = excellent) and compared with Wilcoxon signed-rank test.ResultsThe agreement between bh-fMRI and [15O]water PET without delay correction was good/excellent (median = 3, modus = 4), and improved significantly after delay correction with medium effect size (median = 4, modus = 4, z = -2.121, p = 0.034, r = 0.42).ConclusionDelay correction improves the quality of bh-fMRI and seems to be helpful in clinical practice
Retrieval-augmented generation with large language models in radiology: from theory to practice
No full textMorphological changes in polyester prosthesis geometry after open aortic repair
No full textObjectivesAim of this study was to assess geometrical changes of implanted Dacron grafts following open surgical ascending aortic replacement.MethodsGeometrical Dacron graft changes were analysed during the postoperative follow-up of 215 who received ascending aortic surgery between 02/2010 and 12/2020. Data was analysed using a linear mixed effects model over long-term follow-up.ResultsOne-hundred forty-five (67%) patients of our cohort were male, with a median age of 61 years 52–71.5). Most patients had a history of hypertension (79%). Proximal diameter of the implanted grafts grew at a rate of 0.251 cm (0.181–0.328 cm; p ConclusionIn contrast to the native aorta, Dacron grafts seem to decrease in length over time. At the same time, there is a significant increase in proximal diameter. The specific dimensional changes, and differences to the nominal graft dimensions, should be considered at the time of graft implantation to ensure a durable platform for secondary aortic interventions
Transcriptional signature of cardiac myocyte recovery in mice and human reveals persistent upregulation of epigenetic factors
No full textFibrosis, cardiac remodelling, and inflammation are hallmarks of heart failure. To date, there is no available pharmacological cure for heart failure, but mechanical unloading by implantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) can lead to improved cardiac function in a subset of patients. This study aimed to identify the transcriptional response of left ventricular (LV) cardiac myocytes to mechanical unloading in a mouse model of reversible LV pressure overload and in failing human hearts after LVAD implantation. We found that partial recovery of ventricular dysfunction, LV hypertrophy, and gene expression programmes occurred in mice under reversible transverse aortic constriction (rTAC). Gene expression analysis in cardiac myocytes identified a lasting repression of mitochondrial gene expression resulting in compromised fatty acid oxidation in the mouse model of reversible pressure overload and in human LV samples after LVAD therapy and a persistent upregulation of epigenetic and transcriptional regulators. These findings underpin that recovery from heart failure involves complex gene regulatory networks and that mitochondrial dysfunction remains a challenge even after mechanical unloading. Further studies are needed to investigate the functional role of these factors in reverse remodelling and recovery of failing hearts
Oral bacterial lysate OM-85 prevents respiratory tract infections in asthma: the OMRIA RWE study
No full textBackground: OM-85 is a well-characterized bacterial lysate with antiviral properties, enhancement of airway epithelial barrier function, and tolerance induction. However, real-world evidence is needed to evaluate its effectiveness as an add-on therapy in patients with allergic asthma.Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed medical records of 137 adults with moderate to severe allergic asthma over 12 months. Patients receiving standard of care (SoC) asthma therapy alone (GINA step 4, n = 67) were compared to those on SoC+OM-85 (n = 70). All symptom episodes (CEPs) indicative of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) were recorded, and a 3-scale mean severity index (mSI) was calculated. Propensity score weighting was used for Poisson and linear regression analyses.Results: Patients on OM-85 demonstrated significant reductions in the number of CEPs (60%), asthma exacerbations (71%), unscheduled visits (72%), oral corticosteroid courses (73%), and antibiotic cycles (67%). The mSI was 1.15 points lower in the OM-85 group (p Conclusion: OM-85 as an add-on to standard asthma therapy significantly reduced RTI-related episodes, exacerbations, and healthcare utilization while lowering symptom severity in adults with allergic asthm
Laboratory mice engrafted with natural gut microbiota possess a wildling-like phenotype
No full textConventional laboratory mice housed under specific pathogen-free (SPF) conditions are the standard model in biomedical research. However, in recent years, many rodent-based studies have been deemed irreproducible, raising questions about the suitability of mice as model organisms. Emerging evidence indicates that variability in SPF microbiota plays a significant role in data inconsistencies across laboratories. Although efforts have been made to standardize microbiota, existing microbial consortia lack the complexity and resilience necessary to replicate interactions in free-living mammals. We present a robust, feasible and standardizable approach for transplanting natural gut microbiota from wildlings into laboratory mice. Following engraftment, these TXwildlings adopt a structural and functional wildling-like microbiota and host physiology toward a more mature immune system, with characteristics similar to those of adult humans. We anticipate that adopting wild mouse-derived microbiota as standard for laboratory mouse models will improve the reproducibility and generalizability of basic and preclinical biomedical research
